Jamie Baker, an analyst with J.P. Morgan, said Delta saw a change that Northwest made in the terms of some of its prices and misinterpreted that as a fare reduction, then dropped its price increase in response.

Continental followed Delta's lead a few hours later and canceled the increase that it started last Thursday night. A spokeswoman for the Houston-based airline also cited competitive pressure.

Odds are the companies will attempt to reinstate the fare hikes in hopes this "misinterpretation" by DL is reversed.

"In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem - government IS the problem." - Ronald Reagan

Well I just did a search for IND to AMS for July 28th to August 4th which is Thursday to Thursday travel and after the holidays. NW is charging $1087 for a ticket that I could have purchased 3 months ago for probably $550.